Toronto 
The northern reaches of Banff National Park reveal a quieter, wilder side of Alberta’s famous landscape. Far from the crowds of Banff town and Lake Louise, this remote area offers stunning trails like Sunset Pass and Sunset Lookout. With breathtaking views, vibrant wildflowers, and serene backcountry campsites, it’s a paradise for hikers seeking solitude and adventure.
The northern parts of Banff National Park include vast stretches of remote wilderness. A visit to this part of the park will require a trip along the Icefields Parkway. This trip will bring you well beyond the crowds, traffic, or noise of areas like Banff townsite or Lake Louise. The northern areas of Banff include attractions like the North Saskatchewan River Crossing, Bow Lake, Waterfowl Lakes, and smaller parking areas for the numerous trailheads in the area.
Among the northernmost trails within Banff National Park is the Sunset Pass, which is closer to the Jasper Park boundary than it is to Lake Louise. This more remote part of Banff National Park has views and scenery equal to those of more populous areas like Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. All you have to do is climb a little!
A Stunning Look into Remote Alberta Wilderness
There are two different options for those who set out from the Sunset Pass Trailhead: the Pass Trail or the Lookout Trail. The Sunset Pass Trail is a full-day hike, while the Sunset Lookout Trail is about half the distance, making it a partial day hike. Whether you decide to commit to a full day on the trails or a part of your day, the Sunset Trails in Banff National Park have something incredible to offer at the end of the paths.
To the north of the lookout and viewing areas from the trail is the more remote part of Jasper National Park, while south-facing views showcase the Alexandra and North Saskatchewan Rivers. If you take the trail all the way up, you’ll get a vast look into the White Goat Wilderness Area along with Pinto Lake. The view from the top is a 360-degree shot of Banff’s remote wilderness, while the Sunset Lookout viewing area faces west. With this, either hike will provide another great feature of wild Alberta: the colourful sunsets.
Those more serious backcountry enthusiasts can also take refuge about halfway up the trail at the Norman Creek/Norman Lake backcountry site.
A Day on the Sunset Pass Trail
At just over 16km out-and-back, the more experienced hikers can expect to spend upwards of 7 hours hiking the Sunset Pass. Pack a meal, a lot of water, and snacks, and prepare to see as much of Banff as is possible from a mountain top. As one would expect, this adventure begins with a steady climb. Those 8km of climbing up are truly nice and steady, and do not include steep inclines.
As the trail winds its way up through thick forests, there will be an abundance of wildflowers (especially in late May/early June), small creeks, and short waterfalls. Once at the top, the trail flattens a bit within a sweeping meadow and plateau covered in alpine shrubs, wildflowers, and trees.
There will be several different views, sights, and types of scenery to take in from the top. Point your gaze northeast for the breathtakingly blue-green waters of Pinto Lake, or a little further north into the expanse of the White Goat Wilderness Area. In the opposite direction, take in the beauty of the Alexandra River Valley, surrounded by dense forest, as well as its confluence with the North Saskatchewan to the south. Plus, up above are the towering peaks of Mt. Coleman, Harlan, Wilson, and Amery.
An Afternoon on the Sunset Lookout Trail
A trip up to the Sunset Lookout, rather than the Sunset Pass, is about half the distance to create a roughly 9km out-and-back hike. And with the trip down likely to take less time than the trip up, this hike could easily be scheduled around a Rocky Mountain sunset. There will be a fork along the Sunset Pass trail marking the start of the Lookout Trail which runs for about 1.5km until you reach the location where there was once a fire watch tower. From here, get a look straight down the side of the mountain and into the confluence of the Alexandra and North Saskatchewan Rivers.
Backcountry Camping at Norman Lake
The Norman Lake, or No5, is about halfway up the Sunset Pass Trail, and a little way beyond the fork with the second Lookout Trail. The well-used backcountry site is also accessible by horseback with equestrian riding allowed along the trail. The well-marked and well-used site will have a picnic area under the shelter of the trees and next to Norman Creek. The surrounding areas include vast meadows and rolling hills. No reservations are needed, but a backcountry permit is required for overnight camping.
More Nearby Trails on the Icefields Parkway
The Sunset Trails are among the northernmost of Banff National Park, but are not the farthest north out of all the hiking trails. If you stay around the Sunset Pass/Lookout trailhead area during a stay or hiking weekend, there are three more hikes to check out north of the Sunset Pass. Also nearby are the Columbia Icefields– a visit here will require entrance into Jasper National Park.
- The easiest and quickest of the nearby trails is the Parker Ridge Hike at 5.4km out-and-back. Enjoy the scenery of Peyto Lake as the trail passes by the lookout for Peyto. Further along the trail are incredible views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and the headwaters for the North Saskatchewan River.
- The Wilcox Pass trail will take a bit more time and more of a climb at 8km out-and-back. This is a great early-season hike with a trek through meadows of wildflowers.
- Also nearby is the Nigel Pass hike; while considered a moderate 14km out-and-back, this will require most of your daylight hours. The trail rises above the treeline to offer views of the Banff and Jasper boundary.
Planning Your Trip – The Sunset Pass Trail/ Sunset Lookout Trail
What to See: The Sunset Pass Trail, also connected to the Sunset Lookout Trail in Banff National Park, are two hiking options from the Icefields Parkway. The trails begin from the northern section of the Icefields Parkway near the Alexendra River. These two trail options offer incredible scenery the whole way up, with both hikes requiring a steady climb toward those views. The Sunset Lookout Trail, which branches off from the Pass Trail, is an old fire road that leads to where a tower once stood. The Norman Lake backcountry campground is also located along the Sunset Pass trail.
Location and how to get there: 16.5 km north of the Saskatchewan Crossing via Highway AB-93 North
Sunset Pass Trail Directions
Cost: National Park Day Pass $24.50 per group/vehicle//Adult: $12.25
Senior: $10.75
Youth: free
Best time to go: May-October
For more information:
Icefields Parkway Trail Reports
Sunset Pass Trail – All Trails
